WELDING SCREEN WITH DIRECTIONAL AIR SYSTEM

Abstract

Welding screen with directional air system comprising a structure (2) of resistant material in the form of a helmet or face shield that covers at least the face of a user, both frontally and laterally, and has a front visor (3) located at eye level, is characterized by comprising an air system (4) incorporated in the structure (2) and configured to project a directional air stream towards the smoke and metallic vapors generated by the welding in which the user is working.

Description

WELDING SCREEN WITH DIRECTIONAL AIR SYSTEM OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The invention, as stated in the present descriptive report, refers to a welding screen with a directional air system that provides, for the function for which it is intended, advantages and characteristics, which are described in detail below, that represent an improvement over the current state of the art. More specifically, the object of the invention focuses on a welding screen, one of the components of personal protective equipment designed to protect the face, eyes and neck of the operator during welding processes, and whose main function is to protect him against ultraviolet and infrared radiation, sparks, metallic projections and the luminous intensity generated by the electric arc, which is distinguished by having an air system incorporated in the screen itself that allows projecting an air current and directing it towards the smoke and vapors generated during welding in order to avoid the adverse effects that can be caused to both the worker and the quality of the work. FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION The field of application of the present invention falls within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of PPE, focusing particularly on the field of welding protection screens. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known, welding protective screens, also called welding masks or helmets, are an essential accessory for welding work, as they are intended to protect against the ultraviolet and infrared radiation generated when welding and the very high luminous intensity generated by the electric arc, which can seriously damage the eyes, as well as against sparks and / or metallic projections that jump uncontrollably during these processes and can cause burns to the face and eyes of the operator. For this purpose, these screens are usually made up of a front structure, generally foldable, made of heat and impact resistant materials, such as polycarbonate or fiber, and incorporate an optical filter or a darkening visor, which can be fixed or automatic, that regulates the level of shading according to the type of welding and the intensity of the arc. However, although the screens currently available on the market are a sufficiently appropriate element to guarantee operational safety and prevent eye and facial injuries in welding work, there are other factors that are not adequately covered by these screens, namely the effects caused by the smoke and metallic vapors generated during welding, which can continue to negatively affect the worker, even when using the screen, as well as the quality of the work. The main reasons for these negative effects of smoke and fumes are as follows: - Reduced visibility of the arc and weld pool: Smoke can become lodged between the welding mask and the weld area, hindering observation of the arc, the weld pool, and penetration. This affects process control and can lead to defective welds, lack of fusion, or deformation. - Air currents that carry the smoke towards the operator. Even with a shield, if there is insufficient ventilation or poorly directed air currents, the smoke can drift towards the welder's face. This affects comfort and forces the operator to change posture, reducing precision and ergonomics. - Eye and respiratory irritation. The visor protects against radiation, but does not filter gases or particles. Welding fumes contain metal oxides and irritating compounds that can cause discomfort in the eyes, nose, and throat, even with brief exposures. - Condensation and soiling of the visor. Smoke can deposit particles on the screen glass, reducing the filter's transparency and hindering vision over time. This necessitates more frequent cleaning or replacement of the visor. - Glare due to light scattering. The presence of smoke scatters the light from the arc, generating a "light cloud" effect that reduces contrast and makes it difficult to clearly see the molten pool. - Thermal discomfort. The hot smoke rising from the welding area can cause a sensation of heat on the face and neck, even through the screen, generating discomfort and making it difficult to concentrate. The objective of the present invention is, therefore, to provide the market with an improved type of welding screen that, in addition to conventional protection, includes means to avoid this problem, specifically by including a directional air system that allows pushing the cloud of smoke and metallic vapors generated during welding away from the operator's position and preventing it from being located between the operator and the work area. Furthermore, and with reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, at least as far as the applicant is concerned, there is no knowledge of any other welding screen with an air system, nor of any other invention of similar application that presents technical and structural characteristics equal or similar to those claimed herein. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The welding screen with air system that the invention represents is configured as an ideal solution to the stated objective while also representing an improvement over the current state of the art, the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description. What the invention proposes, as previously mentioned, is a welding screen, of the type consisting of personal protective equipment intended to protect the face, eyes and neck of an operator during welding processes, and to protect him against ultraviolet and infrared radiation, sparks, metallic projections and the luminous intensity generated by the electric arc, which, being conventionally formed from a structure, normally foldable, of resistant material that, as a face shield, covers the user's face both frontally and laterally and has a visor that, with the screen in the operational position, is located at eye level,It is distinguished by the fact that it includes a built-in air system configured to project a directional airflow, allowing the operator to direct it towards the welding process in order to push away the smoke and fumes generated during welding and prevent adverse effects that may affect both the worker and the quality of the work. Preferably, the directional air system incorporated in the screen of the invention comprises at least a blower device consisting of a housing with an electric turbine-type fan inside and respective slotted air inlet and outlet areas, such that, when actuated, for example by means of a switch, optionally provided with a selector with three levels of air output power, conveniently connected to a power source, it draws air in on one side and projects it from its front, this front being arranged parallel to the front of the screen, so that the expelled air can be directed towards the front of the user and push the smoke and vapors from the welding being performed. Furthermore, the housing of said device is attached to the screen structure by means of a movable and adjustable anchor that allows it to be moved to orient, at least in the vertical plane, that is, upwards or downwards, as appropriate, the airflow and to be able to direct it with greater control over the desired point to push the smoke and vapors forwards, away from the operator, but without directly affecting the point of welding itself, since this could cause bubbles and impair the quality of the work. In any case, preferably, the screen of the invention comprises two blower devices as described attached to both sides of the screen structure, approximately at the height of the visor, so that two airflows can be generated to push away the smoke and metallic vapors during the welding work. On the other hand, the blower device or devices can be fixed and inseparably integrated into the screen structure, for example, incorporated during the manufacturing process itself, or they can be removable, so that they can be replaced if necessary. Finally, in a preferred embodiment, the power supply of the blower device(s) is provided via a USB charger, although the option of using replaceable batteries is not ruled out. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive document is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by a set of drawings in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes: Figure 1 shows a schematic front elevation view of an example of the welding screen with air system that is the object of the invention, showing the respective blower devices that it incorporates on each side of it. Figure 2 shows a schematic side perspective view of the example of the screen, according to the invention, shown in Figure 1, more clearly showing the configuration of one of the blower devices it incorporates. And figures number 3-A, 3-B and 3-C. They show respective side elevation views of the blower device that incorporates the screen, according to the example in figure 2, being represented, respectively, by its external side face in figure 3-A, by its internal part in figure 3-B, and by its rear part in figure 3-C. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, one can observe in them an example of a non-limiting embodiment of the welding screen with a steerable air system of the invention, which comprises what is indicated and described in detail below. Thus, as can be seen in the figure, the welding screen (1) of the invention is of the type that basically comprises a structure (2), normally foldable, made of resistant material in the form of a helmet or face shield that, in the operational position of use, covers at least the face of a user, both frontally and laterally, and has a front visor (3) located at eye level. And, based on this known configuration, the welding screen (1) is essentially distinguished by comprising an air system (4) incorporated in the structure (2) and configured to project a directional airflow towards the smoke and metallic vapors generated by the welding being performed by the user in order to push said smoke and vapors above the welding point to move them away from said user and avoid any adverse effects they may cause. Preferably, said directional air system (4) incorporating the structure (2) of the screen (1) comprises at least a blower device (40), which, in turn (as can be seen in figures 3-A to 3-C), is made up of a housing (41), with respective slotted areas, an air inlet (42) and an air outlet (43), inside which it comprises an electric fan (44) connected to a power supply (45), being of the rechargeable type by means of a connection port (46), or with housing for batteries (not shown), and a switch (47), said blower device (40) being installed in the structure (2) so that the air outlet (43) is located in a plane parallel to the front of the structure and to the visor (3), so that the expelled air can be directed towards the front of the user.Furthermore, the housing (41) of the blower device (40) is attached to the structure (2) by means of a movable anchor (48) which allows it to be moved to orient and regulate the inclination of said air outlet (43), at least in the vertical plane. Optionally, although it has not been shown in the figures, the blower device (40) has, for example in the switch actuator (47) or next to it, a selector to regulate the level of the air output power to different degrees, preferably three. In any case, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the structure (2) of the welding screen (1) incorporates two blower devices (40) located one on each side of it, on both sides and approximately at the height of the viewfinder (3), as can be seen in figures 1 and 2. Preferably, the housing (41) of each blower device (40), which has dimensions of approximately 8 x 8 cm and a thickness of 3 cm, has an approximately rounded configuration and has a slotted air inlet area (42) on a side part (a) of it, while the slotted air outlet area (43) is located on a front part (b) and the movable anchor (48) is located on its rear part (c), with which it is attached to the structure (2) of the screen (1). And, preferably, said movable anchor (48) with which the housing (41) is attached to the structure (2) is a rotating fixation with at least three positions, for example fixable by means of respective stops (49), which allow the inclination of the device to be adjusted to direct the air outlet (43) in the most convenient direction. Furthermore, the blower device(s) (40) can be fixed or removable, so that they can be replaced if necessary. Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field may understand its scope and the advantages that derive from it, it being noted that, within its essentiality, it may be put into practice in other forms of embodiment that differ in detail from the one indicated as an example, and which will also achieve the protection sought provided that its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified.

Claims

1. A welding screen with a directional air system comprising a structure (2) of resistant material in the form of a helmet or face shield that covers at least the user's face, both frontally and laterally, and has a front visor (3) located at eye level, characterized by comprising an air system (4) incorporated in the structure (2) and configured to project a directional air stream towards the smoke and metallic vapors generated by the welding the user is performing. 2.Welding screen with a directional air system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the directional air system (4) incorporated in the structure (2) comprises at least one blower device (40) consisting of a housing (41) with respective slotted air inlet (42) and air outlet (43) areas, inside which it comprises an electric fan (44) connected to a power supply (45) and a switch (47), said blower device (40) being installed in the structure (2) such that the air outlet (43) is located in a plane parallel to the front of the structure and to the visor (3), and the housing (41) is coupled by means of a movable anchor (48) that allows it to be moved to orient and regulate the inclination of said air outlet (43), at least in the vertical plane. 3.Welding screen with a directional air system, according to claim 2, characterized in that the blower device (40) is rechargeable via a connection port (46).

4. Welding screen with a directional air system, according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the structure (2) incorporates two blower devices (40) located one on each side thereof, on both sides and approximately at the height of the visor (3).

5. Welding screen with a directional air system, according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the movable anchor (48) by which the housing (41) is attached to the structure (2) is a rotating fixing with at least three positions, fixable by means of respective stops (49), to regulate the inclination of the device and direct the air outlet (43). 6.Welding screen with a directional air system, according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the blower device(s) (40) are fixed.

7. Welding screen with a directional air system, according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the blower device(s) (40) are removable.